Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad speaks after Florida's 3-2 loss to the Islanders on March 28. On March 29. 2023 the Panthers were on a 4 game losing streak and sat three points behind the Penguins with just eight games to play. The something happened that changed the Panthers fortunes. During an offside review in Toronto and with the Panthers playoffs hopes dwindling, Coach Paul Maurice lost his mind on his players. This infamous tirade turned out to be a defining moment in the Panthers season. The team went on to win 7 straight games afterwards and were able to sneak into the playoffs, getting the last wildcard spot. This evidently led to the eventual Stanley Cup appearance for Florida. When asked about the blowup last March, Maurice had this to say ““It was not calculated,” he explained. “I was just honest. It was where I was at. If I could have yelled louder, if I could’ve been (expletive) more profane than I was, I would’ve. I'm not gifted enough. I needed to channel my father, who’s a gifted cursor. That was all I had. I was honest. That’s how I felt.” The Panthers came back in that game against the Leafs and it was sparked by Maurice’s bench tirade. They did not a lose a game for nearly two weeks afterwards and Maurice’s outburst is credited with playing a factor in that. When Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov was asked what exactly Maurice said in his rant he replied “You don’t want to know… It definitely got us going”. The timing of this “anniversary” is fitting as well with the Panthers clinching a playoff spot Thursday night [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-clinch-spot-in-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs]. Despite clinching much earlier this season, Maurice almost a year to date, was once again not too happy with his team. When asked by reporters about securing a playoff berth, despite a 3-2 loss to the Islanders, Maurice did not want to talk about it. "Today is free quote (expletive) day. Take whatever you think I might say and use it. I won’t (expletive) about it” he said. So, while a tirade behind the bench a year to this day sparked a late season run to clinch a playoff spot for Florida, a year later they have a spot clinched with 9 games to play. Under very different circumstances. we still got a profanity laced reaction from Maurice about being unhappy with his teams play. Maybe the second times a charm for Paul Maurice? What a gem. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Three takeaways: Netfront prescence lacking, penalty minutes a problem [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-netfront-presence-lacking-penalty-minutes-a-problem] Florida Panthers clinch spot in 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-clinch-spot-in-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs] Panthers frustrated by Islanders, officiating in 3-2 defeat on home ice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-frustrated-by-islanders-officiating-in-3-2-defeat-on-home-ice] Aaron Ekblad returns to Florida Panthers lineup after 7-game absence [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/aaron-ekblad-returns-to-florida-panthers-lineup-after-7-game-absence] Panthers prospect Spencer Knight records second straight shutout for Charlotte [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-prospect-knight-records-second-straight-shutout-for-charlotte]
